A Staten Island woman who has dedicated her life to helping hopeless children from across the world shared her experiences Wednesday in an effort to inspire others.

Elissa Montanti served as a keynote speaker at the Brave Conference in Manhattan.

She founded the Global Medical Relief Fund which helps coordinate  medical care to injured children from war torn countries, many of them amputees and burn victims. She says starting the organization 19 years ago took courage.

If I didn't step out of my comfort zone, and I thought that everything that needed to be done, needed to be logical I would never be standing here right now," Montanti said.

The Global Medical Relief fund has helped more than 200 children from around the world.